DH Is Making Me Ask This...

[MamaCrush]

DH leaves all the vacation planning to me. However, when it comes to driving there, he's the one in charge-- and he's definitely a pre-planner. We plan to leave NC on Friday AM before the cruise and stay at the Radisson at PC. Now, for DH's question. Is there a "best time" to travel in order to avoid heavy traffic, etc.? Personally, I don't think this will be an issue since we'll be on interstate the whole way, but I promised him I'd post the question!

Thanks for your indulgence...

 

[dis-happy]

Hi there,

I'm your neighbor in NC, Charlotte area. It helps that you aren't driving on Saturday, that's the worst day. I would just leave in the am, and drive straight through. It's about a 9 hour drive to WDW, add 45 minutes to PC, so if you can stand to get up really early and hit the road, you will miss all the evening rush hour stuff in Florida.

Have fun!!!

 

[MamaCrush]

Thanks, dis-happy! We definitely would like to get to the Port so we can see the sights. I travel to downtown Charlotte every AM-- I hit I-85 around 7:00-- so maybe if we leave the Speedway area around 8:00 we'll arrive at PC around 6:00? If we leave REALLY early (probably DH's preference since the 2 little ones will sleep)-- maybe we could hit the road by 6:00 and beat most of AM rush hour through Charlotte.

Thanks again...

 

[moinab]

Assuming you are coming down on I-95, just make sure you don't come through Jacksonville during rush hour, 4:30-6:30 PM.

 

[MarcyIn Florida]

Originally posted by MamaCrush
Now, for DH's question. Is there a "best time" to travel in order to avoid heavy traffic, etc.? Personally, I don't think this will be an issue since we'll be on interstate the whole way, but I promised him I'd post the question!

We've done the NC to Florida trip many times, and the only places you'll hit traffic are Myrtle Beach and Jacksonville. If you can avoid hitting Jacksonville between 7:30 AM and 9:30 AM and again from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM, you'll be fine. Otherwise, make sure you have snacks and an empty bladder.

Marcy

 

[MamaCrush]

Did I mention we'll be traveling with DD3 and DS4!! Empty bladders not likely... We're also tacking on an extra 2 hours to our travel time estimate!

What has your experience been through Myrtle Beach? (This is the main reason DH is thinking of this-- we strategize over traffic when we go every year).

 

[TLHB70]

We just moved to Charlotte almost a year ago. We are about to make the drive..........see my countdown.
Even though we go to WDW every year, this will be our first time to drive it from NC. Our cruise departs on a Sunday so we plan to make the drive that Saturday. I just read dis-happy's post about Saturday being the worst. I thought we may be better off driving Saturday so that we could avoid the work-day morning and evening traffic..................especially Charlotte's!!!!!!!!!!!
I am getting a bit concerned now!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[adisneymama]

Mamacrush- We don't live in NC, but do travel with a 2 yr old. We typically allow extra time and leave early am so that she sleeps as long as possible. We also do this so that if we do hit traffic, it is usually during a "meal" time so we find a Burger King or something with a play area that we can kill some time in. Usually don't need the playground though. By the time we eat, usually traffic has eased up and back to the hwy we go. We travel thru FL a lot and the interstates are never that bad. Just keep in mind that there might be a little delay and you should be fine.

TLH- As for driving on Saturday, I think you'll be fine. Since your cruise doesn't leave until Sunday you have plenty of time.

Relax and hope you both have great cruises.

 

[dis-happy]

Tiff--didn't mean to scare you. Saturdays are the very worst during the summer months, since all those beach rentals begin and end on Saturday and the whole world is travelling that day (or so it seems). It shouldn't be such a problem during the school year....and who knows, in some areas you may hit a little less traffic as a result. HTH!

 

[moinab]

I just noticed your cruise date. Another thing you may want to keep in mind is that you will be returning during Super Bowl weekend. I don't think it will be a problem, but just another thing to keep in mind. (BTW, in case you aren't a NFL fan, the Super Bowl is going to be in Jacksonville.)

 

[MamaCrush]

Moinab-- we're huge NFL fans. And since we're Panther fans, we were a bit concerned about not being home for the Superbowl this year. But it's pretty obvious the way the season is going we won't have to worry about that!

As far as travel goes-- we're hoping to be going North AGAINST the traffic going South to Jacksonville for the bulk of our trip. Here's hoping...

 

[afr117]

Coming from the Charlotte area, Myrtle Beach shouldn't even be a factor. Coming down I am guessing you will be doing I-85 or I-77 to I-26 to I-95. You'll be about a hundred miles from Myrtle in any case.

 

[MamaCrush]

That's what I thought. Besides, the first week in February is not exactly the high season at MB!

 

[Greysword]

I-295 swings around jacksonville, so you may be able to save some time using that route instead of going straight through downtown. Just keep in mind the cops patrol I-295 pretty solidly.

 

[MamaCrush]

As usual, this board never fails me! This info is great! I never should have doubted DH... (but don't tell him that!)

 

[Laurarn]

We just sailed on Oct. 2nd. and drove from Mooresville. We left around 2pm Friday and missed the Charlotte rush hour on I-77. We also had no problems in Columbia or in Jacksonville (past rush hour). We arrived in PC at the Radisson at 11pm. We took the I-77 to I-26 to I-95 route without an problems. Good Luck and have fun!
Laura

 

[MarcyIn Florida]

Originally posted by MamaCrush

What has your experience been through Myrtle Beach? (This is the main reason DH is thinking of this-- we strategize over traffic when we go every year).

Sorry -- I didn't notice you were cruising in January. Myrtle Beach should be no problem.

We always travelled straight down 95 in the summer, and that's when/where traffic is an issue.

Marcy

 

[smchan]

Originally posted by MarcyIn Florida

We always travelled straight down 95 in the summer, and that's when/where traffic is an issue.

Couldn't agree more. In a word, I-95 sucks. I come from the Raleigh area. The "quick" way to PC is I-40 to I-95 south. Typically, I take US-1 south down into South Carolina and eventually pick up I-95. A bit longer to drive but a lot easier on my nerves.

Too many Yankess on I-95.

Sam